The Grill and Butcher

This restaurant out in Table View is worth the trip. One of the better steaks we have experienced in a while. Prices are reasonable, and the steaks were cooked to perfection. We experienced a meal of two sirloins, with the veg being butternut or creamed spinach, and stir-fry. I had a creamed spinach and feta topping on the steak, while Kyle had a mushroom sauce (his was ok - mine was fantastic). The dessert list is quite difficult to choose from, although we settled on caramel cheesecake. All in all an evening well spent.

Just a hint: maybe don't take your vegetarian friends here especially since as you walk in there is a small deli where you can buy meat products.

Last minute details:

Service: Friendly and helpful

Watch out for: Older crowd
Address: 1A Beach Boulevard, Table View
Telephone: (021) 557 1004
Trading hours: Monday - Sunday: 12pm - 11pm

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrillAndButcherTableView

Thursday Market, Cape Point Vineyards

This market isn't really a goods market, but you can buy flowers and some toys for the kids. For us, it is pretty much an only beverage and food market. Almost a trendy restaurant if you will. Some vegetarian options, seafood, lamb and a great meat selection. And of course, the sweets.

Markets tend to be fairly pricey as you're paying for good food and if you're like me, and want to try everything, your money bag empties fast. So I took R100.00 and told myself that was my budget.

The first stall I saw was the Crepe stall. A stall which I just had to try out (for the blog, of course). And I'm so very glad I did.I bought a fudge and chocolate crepe after my mains, and nearly had a heart attack when I heard the woman say she was running out of mixture! But boy do they make these delicacies like experts, and she was on top of it, beating up a new batch. My main was paella, also divine.

It's important to note that while the food stalls appeared to be cash only, the bars had card machines. Which thus led me to spend my cash budget on food.

One other thing about this market; don't be fooled by the cars parked along the road - there is plenty of parking on the farm and the property is huge. The inside area was quite empty and there was space to move (a rarity I find at popular markets). There is a large outside area where children run rampant, and people sit down and relax on. And for winter there is cover with ridiculously warm heaters.

Last minute details:

Watch out for: This venue is too big to be stuck near people

Address: Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Road
Telephone: (021) 789 0900
Trading hours: Thursdays: 3:30pm - 8pm

Website: http://noordhoekvineyards.co.za/thursday-market/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/capepointvineyards

The Brasserie

Part of the Societi family, The Brasserie in Tokai has never failed to deliver above average experiences. Good service, fast drinks and speedy meal times all contribute to a relaxing experience, especially when sitting in the outside garden.

The Brasserie is a mix of vintage old oak and brick face, with elegant decor.There is a constant clank of noise, making it seem louder than it is, a good thing when it is quiet, although some may find it grating.

The wine list comprises of decent wines, and there is a selection of craft beers on tap. We like the menu as it ranges from pizzas and pastas to steaks, and sometimes meals for the more adventurous; catering for most pallets.

This place makes the cut for three reasons:

The lunchtime menu: R74.00 for a choice of meal, and a complimentary coffee or glass of red/white wine. This is a great deal, although not always too filling, and not as tasty as eating off the main menu.

It's a comfortable place to eat at alone, on a date or with friends and the prices are reasonable for the area.

It is a collection point for Harvest of Hope,a great programme supporting township farmers who grow organic vegetables. We not only love the idea, but you're constantly getting different produce each week, thus helping support many families.

Last minute details:

Smoking: outside seating

Watch out for: lunchtime mummys

Address: Shop 1, Forest Glade House, Tokai

Telephone: 021 712 1363

Website: http://brasseriect.co.za/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrasserieCT

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrasserieCT

15 Things to do for Mother's Day

So Mother's Day is just around the corner and although she annoys you, you kind of have to do everything she asks with a smaller grimace and more enthusiasm than usual. She spends 365 days a year looking after us and being there when needed, even though we push her away most of the time.

This is the one day we have to pull out all the stops and show her how much she means to us. Whether it's your mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, mother-to-be or even a mother figure; on this day you have to make her feel good. You're not allowed to fight with your siblings and your dad is probably going to try get her half dead flowers from the closest grocery store (we can stop that – see first option). Therefore, we have a few suggestions in order to make Mother's Day this year an awesome one.

Remember if it involves booking; do it now!

Weather check: currently it looks to be 16 degrees, and a chance of rain. We've suggested sunny weather activities though; Cape Town weather has the temperament of that weird kid you knew in school.

1. Don't let your dad buy her flowers; take her to the Chart Farm and let her pick her own roses. She'll love the thought of flowers but satisfy her fussy taste. And after, take her to The Terrace, the restaurant, for a cosy meal.

Contact:
+27 (0) 21 762-0067
Website

2. Make her a home-made gift voucher booklet. This can include vouchers for cooking a meal for the family once a month for a year, going to the movies with her, vacuuming the house, flowers on presentation of a voucher or even an hour of teaching her how to use Facebook without pulling your hair out.

3. Buy her a great gift – a family photo shoot. It’s something she can keep for a long time, and it can be fun if you dress up and create some memorable laughs. This can be pricey but we suggest keeping an eye out for deals on sites such as on Groupon Photography Deals

4. If this doesn’t appeal to you, buy her a photo book voucher. She will spend hours creating a special memento, and leave you in peace; until she needs to figure out the scanner.
Try these sites
My Photo Book
24 Hour Photo Books
Photo 2 Print


5. If you really want to spoil her, take her to High Tea. We suggest Mount Nelson: there are three sittings (one breakfast and two lunch at R295.00 per person) allowing you to still do more with your day. You get to stuff your face while drinking Nigiro teas for a few hours straight. Heaven, right? And your mom can’t complain about the calories; it’s her day!

Contact:
021 483 1000
Website

6. Go out a bit further into the wine lands and take her wine tasting. After a few delicious wines, these farms have delectable restaurants. Again, make sure to book and organise a sober driver.
We like these farms:
Constantia Glen - website
Anura (try the Verdhelo) - website


7. Show some real effort and cook her a full meal. If you have siblings, split up starters, mains and desserts. Make her favourite dishes or cook something that takes more time and is a special treat, such as a roast.


8. Enrol her in a class she’s thought about but never had the time or guts for, such as belly dancing or judo.

9. Take the family out for a day everyone from youngest to oldest should enjoy. The Waterfront hosts a fun indoor Putt Putt course called Cave Golf. And if you have a young sibling who won’t be able to partake they can write down the scores or be entertained at the indoor Scratch Patch next door.

Contact:
021 419 9429


10.Go for brunch while listening to live Jazz musicians at the Winchester Hotel. From 11am until 2pm, you can eat as much as you want on a vast buffet table. Looking to cost R295.00 for Mother’s Day, it is well worth it.

Contact:
021 434 2351 
Website


11. Pack a picnic and go up signal hill. If you don’t trust your picnic skills, you can order picnic packs from
Dial a Picnic
Picnic Food


12. Have a game day! These can start off apprehensive but they are always a laugh. Get out the 30 Seconds, Pictionary and Charades, get some snacks and drinks and have fun while bonding (and arguing) with your family.
  

13. Take the CitySightSeeing bus around Cape Town. You can choose to do a day or night tour and you’re guaranteed to learn a thing or two and have something to talk about afterwards. Sometimes touring your own city is a fun thing to do; you forget your daily lives and live in Cape Town from another perspective; a perfect Mother’s Day getaway.

Contact:
021 511 6000
Website


14. Head to Die Boer in Durbanville for a different experience. Food and entertainment at a lively venue is a sure winner. Gerrie Pretorious is the act for Sunday from 1:30 – 3pm, and there is a R100.00 cover charge
Be sure to book ahead on Their Website

15. Lastly there is the classic Sunday lunch, which you can’t go wrong with. A lot of restaurants will be doing something special on Mother’s Day so we suggest looking at their websites or calling to find out – and most importantly go to a place your mother loves, that serves her favourite dishes, and make sure she has a lovely day.